Len Goodman was given a moving send-off after 12 years as Strictly Come Dancing head judge with a standing ovation and a classic ballroom dance performed in his honour.

A number of the show’s stars from the past and present commented on his departure in a video montage, including 2014 winner Caroline Flack, who called him the “perfect gentleman”, and professional dancer Anton du Beke, who said Goodman “brings joy to so many people”.

Len, 72, said: “I’ll miss just turning up and the anticipation of what is going to occur, I will miss what I consider the three best judges on television, being close to the band and the fabulous singers.

“I think the whole thing is like a big machine with cogs. Every cog has to work to make the whole thing happen. You’d miss any one of the cogs because that’s what makes Strictly into Strictly.

“I’m going to miss it all,” he added, before the programme’s professional dancers performed a classic ballroom dance as a tribute.